Shoe heel and overshoe assembly



June 20, 1967 D. M. WEITZNER 3,325,918

SHOE HEEL AND OVERSHOE ASSEMBLY Filed Dec. 29, 1964 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 1N VEN TOR. Qyrof/rea f7 h/ezzner June 20, 1967 D. M. WEITZNER 3,325,918

SHOE HEEL AND OVERSHOE ASSEMBLY Filed Dec. 29, 1964 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 20, 1967 D. M. WEITZNER 3,325,918

SHOE HEEL AND OVERSHOE ASSEMBLY Filed Dec. 29, 1964 8 Sheets-Sheet 15 16 INV EN TOR.

.Dorof/zea /7. weizzner inn/W3 June 20, 1967 wElTZNER 3,325,918

SHOE HEEL AND OVERSHOE ASSEMBLY Filed Dec. 29, 1964 8 Sheets-Shet 4 I|dl 1 N VEN TOR June 20, 1967 D. M. WEITZNER 3,325,918

SHOE HEEL AND OVERSHOE ASSEMBLY 8 Sheets-Sheet .5

Filed Dec. 29, 1964 I N VE N TOR. fig raz/zea /Z l/ez'zzner June 20, 1967 w rrz R 3,325,918

SHOE HEEL AND OVERSHOB ASSEMBLY Filed Dec. 29, 1964 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 I N VEN TOR.

J1me 1967 D. M. WEITZNER 3,325,918

SHOE HEEL AND OVERSHOE ASSEMBLY Filed Dec. 29, 1964 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 aura 15 a V I, H 220 15 aaaq 25$ 250 I N VE NTOR.

June 20, 1967 D. M. WEITZNER SHOE HEEL AND OVERSHOE ASSEMBLY 8 Sheets-Sheet Filed Dec. 29, 1964 V P O Patented Jun e 2 1 9 7 33259918 121%. 1165is a vertical sectional view through the heel SHOE HEEL AND OVERSHOE ASSEMBLY Dorothea M. Weitzner, 8 E. 62nd St., New York, N.Y. 10021 Filed Dec. 29, 1964, Ser. No. 422,085 12 Claims. ((31. 361) This invention relates generally to a shoe heel construction and more particularly to a shoe heel assembly having a compartment for removably storing an overshoe, and this application Ser. No. 305,922, filed Sept. 3, 1963, which issued as patent 3,174,234 on March 23, 1965.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a heel assembly with storage space for an overshoe for covering the toe portion of the shoe.

Another object of the invention is to provide a heel assembly with a compartment and a rotatable shaft for winding an overshoe in the compartment together with means manual or spring for turning the shaft.

Yet another object is to provide a heel assembly with a compartment for storing overshoes for various parts of the shoe.

For further comprehension of the invention and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIGURE 1 is a bottom perspective view of a shoe with a heel embodying one form of the invention, an overshoe shown partly withdrawn from the heel, and a tool being shown in position to turn the shaft,

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the heel,

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 33 of FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3,

FIG. 5 is a disassembled top perspective view of a shoe embodying still another modified form of the invention, the overshoe shown disassembled,

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view through the heel with the overshoe in position thereon,

FIG. 7 is a phantom perspective view of a fragment of a shoe having a heel embodying one form of the invention, and the heel being shown in full lines, parts being broken away,

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view through the heel on the line 22 of FIG. 7, part of the overshoe being shown withdrawn from the compartment in the heel,

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 99 of FIG. 8,

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of a fragment of a modified form of shoe, the upper of which isshown supporting a modified form of shaft in phantom for supporting the overshoe,

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken on the line 11-11 of FIG. 10, the heel being shown in dot-dash lines and th shaft being shown in operative position therein,

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of another modified form of shoe shown supporting a modified form of shaft in operative position in the heel of the shoe, the heel being shown in dot-dash lines,

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of still another modified form of shoe with means for supporting a shaft,

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 9 of a further modified form of heel with an overshoe shown in storage position therein,

FIG. 15 is a bottom perspective view of still another modified form of shoe showing an overshoe partly withdrawn from the heel in dot-dash lines,

FIG. 17 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 17-17 of FIG. 16,

FIG. 18 is a bottom perspective view of yet another modified form of heel,

FIG. 19 is a vertical sectional View taken on the line 19-19 of FIG. 18, the overshoe being shown withdrawn,

FIG. 20 is a bottom perspective view of a fragment of still another modified form of shoe,

FIG. 21 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 21-21 of FIG. 20, an overshoe being shown withdrawn from the heel,

FIG. 22 is a top perspective phantom view of a shoe with the heel shown in full lines and embodying still another modified form of the invention,

FIG. 23 is a similar view showing the overshoe partly withdrawn, parts of the overshoe being shown broken away,

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the heel, parts being shown broken away, the overshoe being shown partly withdrawn and partly broken away,

FIG. 25 is a sectional view taken on the line 2525 of FIG. 23,

FIG. 26 is a vertical sectional view of a shoe with the heel embodying another modified form of the invention, the shoe being shown partly in elevation and partly in section,

FIG. 27 is a disassembled top perspective view of the sole construction, a

FIG. 28 is a phantom perspective view of a shoe with the heel shown in full lines and embodying yet another modified form of the invention, the overshoe being shown withdrawn from the heel,

FIG. 29 is a bottom perspective view of a shoe em- 'bodying a still further modified form of the invention,

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the heel showing the door in open position in dash lines, v

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a heel embodying yet another modified form of the invention, the plug housing being shown removed from the heel, in dash lines,

. FIG. 32 is a vertical sectional View taken on the line 3232ofFIG. 31, we

FIG. 33 is a spread perspective view of the overshoe and storage housing in disassembled condition,

FIG. 34 is a perspectiveview of aheel embodyingjstill another modified form of the invention, an overshoe being shown withdrawn and in color, another overshoe being shown withdrawn in phantom, v

FIG. 35tis a top perspective view of a shoe embodying yet another modified form of the invention, the overshoe being shown in operative position on the heel and front of the shoe, p i

FIG. 36 is a side elevational view of the shoe of FIG. 35 showing the overshoe in position on the front and heel of theshoe and, instep of the wearer,

FIG. 37 is a perspective view of the overshoe of FIG. 35 for covering the front of the shoe,

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of a shoe embodying still another modified form of the invention, parts being shown broken away and parts being shown disassembled, I

FIG. 39 is a bottom perspective view of a shoe embody-; ing yetanother modified form of the invention, the overshoe being shown withdrawn from the heel, V

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of a shoe with a shoe cover and storage housing therefor embodying yet another modified form of the invention, the heel being shown broken away,

FIG. 41 is a vertical sectional view through the heel of the shoe of FIG. 40 showing the shoe cover and heel cover stored in the housing in the heel,

FIG. 42 is a top perspective view of a shoe and heel cover assembly with storage housing embodying modified forms of the invention,

FIG. 43 is a side elevational view of a shoe with the shoe and heel a cover assembly of FIG. 42 in operative position thereon,

FIG. 44 is a bottom plan view of a shoe heel embodying a still further modified form of the invention,

FIG. 45 is a perspective view of a shoe heel in phantom embodying a still further modified form of the invention, an overs-hoe being shown partly removed,

FIG. 46 is a bottom perspective view of a shoe embodying still another modified form of the invention,

FIG. 47 is a sectional view taken on the line 4747 of FIG. 46,

FIG. 48 is a top perspective view of a shoe embodying still another modified form of the invention,

FIG. 49 is a bottom perspective view thereof,

FIG. 50 is a spread perspective view of a modified form of storage housing and contents,

FIG. 51 is a vertical sectional view of a modified form of heel assembly,

FIG. 52 is a perspective view of another modified form of storage housing,

FIG. 53 is a sectional view of a shoe heel with the storage housing preparatory to insertion into the heel.

Referring now in detail'to the various views of the drawings, in FIGS. 1 to 4, inclusive, there is shown a shoe with a sole 12, toe 14 and heel assembly 16 embodying one form of the invention. The heel assembly 16 comprises a heel proper 18 of the French type having a solid upper part 20 and a downwardly tapered curved hollow body portion 22 terminating in a round bottom end portion 24. The body portion 22 is formed with a cutaway portion 26 at the rear thereof, extending the length thereof. A rubber lift 28 is secured to the outer face of the bottom end portion.

A metal shell 30 shaped to conform to the shape of the body portion 22 is sleeved around the body portion 22 enclosing the body portion and the cutaway portion thereof. The shell 30 is formed with a cutaway portion 32 adapted to be brought into register with the cutaway portion 26 of the body portion of the heel. The shell turns on the body portion 22 of the heel proper. The heel body portion 22 of the heel proper and the shell 30 define .a compartment 34. A shaft or spindle 36 extends centrally through the compartment 34 and has one end journalled in a socket bearing 38 in the solid top portion 20 of the heel proper and has its other end loosely extending through a central hole 40 in the bottom end 24 of the heel and through a registering hole 42 in the lift 28, the outer bottom face of the shaft being flush with the face of the lift and being centrally slotted as indicated at 44 to receive a turning tool such as a coin 46. An elongated closed slot 48 is formed in the center of the shaft. A cross pin 50 carried by the shaft 36 is adapted to engage the solid bottom end 24 of the heel proper to prevent outward movement of the shaft. An elongated round recess 52 is formed in the top solid portion 20 of the heel proper. A coil spring 54 is fitted in the recess and presses a ball detent 56 outwardly against the inner surface of the shell 30 to hold the shell against accidental rotation.

In use, a flexible plastic overshoe 58 is flattened out to store in the compartment 34 in the body 22 of the heel by inserting one end thereof through the aligned cutaway portions 32 and 26 of the shell 30 and body 22 of the heel proper, respectively and threading said one end through the slot 48 in the shaft 36. The shaft is then turned by inserting a tool such a coin 46 into the slot 44 in the end of the shaft and turning the shaft whereby the overshoe becomes wound around the shaft and stored in the compartment 34 in the heel proper as seen in FIG. 4. Theshell 30 is rotated to close the cutaway portion in the body of the heel as seen in FIG. 2. When the overshoe is needed, it is merely necessary to turn the shell 4. 30 backwardly until the cutout portions in the shell and heel body register whereupon the overshoe may be grasped and pulled outwardly of the heel assembly for use. The heel assembly serves as a support for the shoe in normal fashion when the overshoe is stored inside the compartment and when the overshoe is removed.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, a modified shoe 10' is shown including a sole 12', toe strap 14', and heel assembly 16' and instep and ankle straps 60 and 62, respectively. having a solid tapered French type heel body 18 formed integrally with the rear portion of the sole 12. A hole 64 is formed across the bottom end of the heel proper.

Another heel 66 of flexible plastic material, similar in shape to the shape of the heel body 18 is removably sleeved over the heel body 18'. The heel 66 is of larger dimensions than the heel body 18' leaving a clearance or compartment 68 around the heel body 18'. The bottom end 70 of the outer heel 66 is enlarged and is formed with a central recess 72 andwith a transverse round passage 74 intersecting the central recess 72, on both sides thereof, with the inner end thereof internally screw threaded. The outer end of the passage is countersunk as indicated at 76. A plastic block 78 is preferably fitted in the bottom end of the central recess 72.

In use, a flexible plastic overshoe 58 is adapted to be wound around the heel body 18 in the compartment 68. The heel 66 is then inserted over the overshoe 58' and a headed bolt 80 inserted through the lateral passage 74 and transverse hole 64 in the heel body 18 and threaded into the inner end of the passage 74 thereby securing the heel 66 onto the heel body 18'. The overshoe 58 may be readily removed by removing the bolt.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, another modified form of heel assembly 16" is illustrated. This assembly 16 is shown attached to the rear portion of the sole 12" of a shoe 10". The heel assembly comprises a heel proper including a hollow tapered elongated hollow body portion 18", open top and bottom as shown in FIG. 8. The top opening is countersunk to receive the body of a lift 84 secured to the undersurface of the rear portion of the sole 12", the lift seating on the shoulder 86 formed by the countersunk portion. The lift 84 is formed with a central hole 88. The bottom open end of the body portion 18" is closed by a disc-shaped rubber lift 90 provided with a socketed bearing 92 in the inner surface thereof. The body portion 18" is formed with a cutaway portion 34" at the front thereof, one side long edge of the slotted body portion curving slightly inwardly as indicated at 94 and the other side long edge of the slotted body portion curving outwardly in overlapped but spaced relation with the curved edge as indicated at 96 as seen in FIGS. 7 and 9. The long edge 96 serves as a guide.

A slotted shaft 36" extends centrally of the hollow body portion 18" with its top end extending through the central hole 88 in the top lift 84 and with its bottom end journalled in the socketed bearing 92. A flexible overshoe 58 is wrapped around the shaft 36 with its inner end interlocked with the slot in the shaft and its outer end projecting through the cutaway portion 34" in the heel body 18". A coil spring has one end anchored to the inner surface of the hollow body portion 18" at the top thereof and has its other end anchored to the shaft 36" at the top thereof whereby the overshoe 58" is adapted to be automatically wound on the shaft 36.

In FIGS. 10 and 11, yet another modified form of shoe 10" is illustrated. The shoe 10 comprises a hole 12"; a toe portion 14" and the rear upper portion being formed of upper and lower straps 98, 100, respectively. The lower strap 100 carries a slotted shaft 36" and is adapted to be inserted through a cutout portion of a hollow heel body 18" for supporting an overshoe.

The modified form of shoe 10a shown in FIG. 12 is somewhat similar to shoe 10 except that it has an elongated narrow strap 102 extending from the hole 12a rearwardly and its inner end is given a quarter turn and 'curved around and riveted to a shaft 36a. The strap 102 is adapted to pass through a cutout portion or opening in the heel body 18a of the shoe and support the shaft centrally thereof.

In FIGS. 13 and 14, there is shown still another modified form of overshoe 36ml having a sole 12aa, a toe portion 14aa and an elongated narrow strap 104 extending from the rear of the sole portion. A hole 106 is formed in the end of the strap. The sole, toe portion and strap are corrugated, and are adapted to be stored in a heel body 18aa similar in shape to the heel body 18" of FIG. 9. The heel body 1851a has a headed pin 108 protruding from the outer surface thereof adapted to be received in the hole 106 to hold the overshoe in storage position.

In FIGS. 15 to 17, inclusive, still another modified form of shoe xx is illustrated comprising a sole 12xx, a toe portion 14xx and a heel assembly 16xx. The heel assembly comprises a heel proper having a hollow heel body 18m formed integrally'with the sole 12xx. The heel body is closed at its bottom by a lift 28xx.

Inside the heel body 18xx, there is a shaft 36xx journalled in opposed socket bearings 38xx and 40:0: in opposite sides of the body. A spool or drum 110 is fixed on the shaft and alongside the spool there is a coil spring 112 with one end fixed to the shaft and its other end in the form of a perforated ear 114 fixed to the inner surface of the heel body. A flexible overshoe 58xx is adapted to be wound around the spool 110 with one end fastened to the hub of the spool and its other free end formed with a tab 111 and extending through the slot 116 in the heel body.

In use, the overshoe 58xx is pulled outwardly against the action of the spring 112 and placed over the toe portion 14xx of the shoe and when mounting pressure is released, the overshoe rolls automatically around the spool 110.

FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate a further modified form of heel assembly 16xxx which differs from the heel assembly 16xx of FIGS. to 17, inclusive, in that the slot 117 extends through the heel and lift 28xxx, and in place of a coil spring and spool or drum, a spiral spring 120 is suspended from a hook 122 depending from the top portion of the heel, with its narrowest convolutions fastened to the hook and one end of an overshoe 58xxx fastened to the other end of the spring whereby the overshoe may be automatically retracted when pulled out of the heel and pressure is released.

Still another modified form of shoe 10x is shown in FIGS. and 21. Herein the shoe 10x comprises a sole 12x, toe portion 14x and heel assembly 16x. The sole at the instep portion 124 thereof is slotted as indicated at 126, which slot intersects a slot 128 in the rear of the hollow heel body 18x. The bottom of the heel body is closed by a lift 28x. A shaft 36x extends through the center of the hollow heel body 18x with its top end journalled in the top of the heel body and its bottom end journalled in the top surface of the lift 28x. A pulley 130 is fastened to the top end of the shaft. An endless pulley line 132 is trained around the pulley and through an eyelet 134 fastened to the sole 12x opposite the pulley, the line moving in a direction parallel to the bottom surface of the sole 12x at the instep portion 124. A spiral spring 136 has one end anchored to the shaft near the top end thereof and its other end anchored to the top surface of the lift 28x by a screw 138. A round rod 140 is mounted parallel to the instep portion 124 with one end fastened to the sole 12x remote from the heel and its other end extending through an opening in the material of the top of the heel at the rear thereof. The rod 140 serves as a trackway for a slidable carriage having a tubular body 144 receiving the rod and having a perforated ear 146 to which the ends of the pulley line 132 are fastened. Downwardly extending spaced ears 146, 146 are formed on the tubular body 144 for attaching one end of a pair of overshoes 58x, 58x.

'In use, the overshoes are adapted to be stored in the hollow heel body 18x around the shaft 36x. When it is desired to use an overshoe for placing over the front of the shoe as shown in FIG. 20, the left hand overshoe is pulled out winding up the spiral spring 136 and may be placed over the front of the shoe. The other overshoe to the right may be placed over the heel assembly 16x as shown in FIG. 20. When the overshoes are removed from the front and heel of the shoe, the spiral spring automatically retracts the overshoes into the hollow heel body.

The modified form of shoe 10a illustrated in FIGS. 22 to 26, inclusive, consists of a sole 12a, toe portion 14a and heel assembly 16a. The heel assembly 16a comprises a heel proper including a heel body 18a attached to the rear portion of the sole 12a. The heel body is hollow and is closed at its outer end by a lift 28a. Inside the heel body a drum 150 is fastened to a rotary-spring-biased shaft 36a journalled in socketed bearings in the Wall of the heel body at opposite sides thereof. The heel body is slotted as indicated at 152 forwardly of and in line with the shaft 36a. A flexible overshoe 58a is shown wound on the drum 150 with one end extending through the slot 152 and formed with a tab 154 at its outer end. A female snap fastener element 156 is carried by the tab 154, for snapping onto a male snap fastener element 158 on the front of the heel body 18a above the slot 152. The overshoe 58a is dispensed through the slot 152 and is held in storage position on the drum by means of the snap fastener elements 156 and 158.

The flexible overshoe 58a is formed with a cupped toe portion 160 for protecting the front of the shoe as shown in FIG. 26 and with a folded cup shaped heel portion 162 adapted to be inserted over the heel assembly. The heel portion is extra thick, and the toe portion 160 may be provided with an extra sole piece 164 secured thereto by adhesive 166 as shown in FIG. 27.

The modified shoe 10xx' shown in FIGS. 28 and 29 differs from the shoe 10a of FIGS. 22 to 26 merely in the construction of the overshoe unit 58xx' which consists of a flexible cover 170 for the front portion of the shoe and a flexible cover 172 for the heel assembly. The cover 170 is secured to the end of a cord 174 wound around the drum in the heel body 18xx of the heel assembly 16xx extending through slot 152xx. The cover 172 for the heel assembly is cup-shaped and provided with a perforated ear 176 which slides along the cord 174 toward and away from the cover 170. A knob 178 in the cord limits movement of the cover 174 away from cover 170.

In FIG. 30, yet another modified heel assembly 160 is shown wherein the hollow heel body 1&- is formed with a cutout portion 188 at the front thereof for entrance to the interior thereof. A door 182 is hinged on one long edge of the cutout portion as indicated at 184 and opening of the door is facilitated by means of a fingernail notch 186 in the free end edge of the door 182.

In FIGS. 31 to 33, inclusive, yet another modified form of heel assembly 16cc is shown wherein the heel body 1800 is solid and formed with a round recess 190 in the front thereof. A canister 192 with a removable cover 193 is removably fitted in the recess 190 and is held therein against accidental displacement by means of a spring 194 and ball 196 detent in a sleeve 198 fitted in a recess in the central top end of the heel body. The material of the heel body is recessed below the recess 190 as indicated at 199 to permit the fingernail of the user to remove the cover 184 of the canister.

An overshoe unit including a cover 200 for the front of the shoe and a cup shaped cover 202 for the heel assembly is stored in the canister 192.

The modified form of heel assembly 18cc shown in FIG. 34 differs from the form of heel assembly 1820: in FIG. 28 in the number of overshoe units 5800' stored in the hollow heel body 1800' and in the corresponding number of slots 152cc in the front of the heel body 1800. Furthermore, the overshoe units in shoe heel body 18cc are differently colored and the slots 152cc bear indicia identifying the colors, for example, the top slot has the word red printed adjacent thereto, the intermediate slot the word blue and the bottom slot the word yellow. A red overshoe unit is shown withdrawn from the hollow heel body through the top slot, and a yellow overshoe unit is shown in phantom withdrawn from the bottom slot. A ball shaped handle 204 is provided on the outer end of the overshoe units 5800' in place of the tab and snap fastener element.

Referring now to the modified form of shoe 100cc shown in FIGS. to 37, inclusive, herein the heel assembly 18000 is similar in construction to the heel assem bly 18cc of FIG. 34 but a plurality of different types of overshoe devices for various parts of the shoe are stored in the heel body 18ccc in place of the colored overshoe devices of FIG. 34. The slots 152ccc accordingly bear indicia identifying the covers for the various parts of the shoe, to wit, the word front at the top slot, the word ankle at the intermediate slot, and the word heel rat the bottom slot. The various types of parts stored in the heel body 180cc is shown in position on the shoe 10ccc in FIG. 36. A cover 206 for the front of the shoe is shown in protective position thereon, a cover 208 is shown over the ankle, and a cover 210 shown on the heel assembly. The cover 208 for the ankle is formed with a notch 212 to .provide clearance over the handle 204 of the front cover 206.

FIG. 38 illustrates a modified form of shoe 1000" wherein the hollow' heel body 1800" houses an extra sole 214 attached to an elastic string 216 extending through the slot 15200 in the heel body, The sole 214 is provided with male snap fastener elements 218 adapted to be snapped into female snap fastener elements 220 secured on the outer face of the sole 12cc". The extra sole 214 is formed with a handle tab 222 for manipulating the extra sole.

The modified form of shoe 10ccxx shown in FIG. 39 differs from the shoe 10cc" of FIG. 38 in the shape of the protective sole 214ccxx which is formed with a peripheral flange 218 to hook around the edge of the sole 12ccxx of the shoe.

In FIGS. 40 and 41, a shoe 10aaaa embodying another modified form of the invention is shown. The heel body 18aaaa is solid and formed with a round socket or recess 220 intersecting the inner side thereof. A canister 222 with a hinged lid 224 is removably fitted in the socket 220.

An overshoe unit including a cover 225 for the front of the shOe is attached to one end of a string 226, the other end of the string being attached to the canister. A cup-shaped cover 228 for the heel assembly is attached to one end of a string 230, the other end of the string being attached to the canister. When not in use, the shoe cover 225 and the heel cover 228 are stored in the canister in collapsed condition as shown in FIG. 41. A coil spring 232 is mounted in the inner end of the socket with one end secured to the base of the socket and its other end connected to the bottom of the canister by a cord 233, whereby the canister when withdrawn may be automatically retracted.

A spring pressed ball detent 234 in a notch 235 in the socket coacting with a hole 236 in the wall of the canister holds the canister in the socket against accidental displacement.

In FIGS. 42 and 43 a modified form of overshoe and heel cover assembly is shown. The overshoe comprises a toe cover 240 and sole 242 with bifurcated rear end, the bifurcations 244, 244 being perforated to secure one end of strings 246, 246, the other end of the strings being secured in a canister 248 similar to canister 222 of FIG. 40. A cup-shaped heel cover 250 is formed with a perforated ear 252 for attachment to one end of a string 254 secured at its other end to the bottom of the canister. In FIG. 43, the assembly is shown in operative position on the toe 256 and heel 258. of a shoe 260.

7 FIGS. 44 and 45 illustrate still another modified form o of heel assembly 16xxxx wherein the heel body 18xxxx is solid and formed with a recess 264 therein with a pair of rectangular slotted entrances 266, 266 in the front thereof. Upright shafts 268 and 270 are journalled in the base and roof of the recess 264 and wound around the shaft 268 there is an overshoe 272 and wound around shaft 270 there is a heel cover 274. The ends of the overshoe and heel cover project outwardly of the front of the heel and may be fastened to each other by means of female and male snap fastener elements 276 and 278,

, respectively. The top ends of the shafts 268 and 270 are connected by a coil spring 280 having clocklike coils 281 wound around the respective posts whereby the overshoe and heel covers are withdrawn against the action of the spring 280 and retracted automatically by means of said spring.

FIGS. 46 and 47 illustrate a further modified form of shoe 10cccc somewhat similar to shoe 10xx' of FIG. 28. In shoe 10cccc, the slot 284 in heel proper 18cccc however is vertically dispose-d. An ankle cover 286 is fastened at one end to a cord 288 wound around a drum in the heel proper and extending through slot 284. The other end of the ankle cover is fastened by a cord 289 to a loop 290 secured to the front of the heel proper.

In FIGS. 48 and 49, another modified form of shoe 10xxx is shown wherein the heel proper 18xxx is formed with a pair of closely spaced vertically disposed slots 292, 292 in the front thereof through which extend cords 294, 284 wound around a drum in the heel proper 18xxx' and tied at the outer ends thereof to an ankle cover 296. The cover 296 is composed of two sections 298 and 300 fastened to each other by male and female snap fastener elements 302 and 304, respectively.

FIG. 50 illustrates a kit 306 including a storage housing or casing 308 for storing a toe cover 310 with cord 312 and a heel cover 314 with cord 316. The cords are shown fastened to the hinged pin 318 of the housing or casing and can be readily detached for attaching the overshoe and heel cover to a shoe. The overshoe and heel cover are preferably formed of stretchable latex material.

The housing or casing 308 is sectional having one section 320 for storing the toe cover and another section 322 for storing the heel cover. The inner surfaces of the sections are preferably provided with indicia giving instructions as to use.

In FIG. 51, a modified form of heel cover 326 is shown. This cover 326 is formed of suitable wear resistant plastic material with a tapered body 328 and a perforated car 330 for attachment to a cord 331 or the like. A ringsh-aped rubber heel lift 332 is fastened to the under surface of the heel cover by adhesive 334. This heel cover is especially adapted for heavy duty rugged wear.

FIG. 52 shows a modified form of storage housing or i casing 338 for mounting in a horizontally disposed socket 340 formed in the heel proper 342 shown in FIG. 53. The socket is formed with internal screw threads 344 at its inner end.

The housing or casing 338 is bottle-shaped with a groove 346 in the bottom 348 thereof. The other end or top is formed with a neck portion 350 formed with external threads adapted to coact with the threads 344 in the socket 340. The housing or casing is inserted into the socket as shown by the arrow in FIG. 53 and may be turned by placing a tool in the groove such as a coin. The housing or casing is adapted to store an overshoe, heel cover and the like.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A heel assembly for a shoe having a sole, comprising a hollow heel body attached at one end to the sole, a

lift attached to the other end of the heel body and with the heel body defining a compartment therebetween, a shaft extending axially through the heel body and means retaining said shaft rotatably in said heel body, said shaft having a longitudinal slot for receiving an end of a collapsible overshoe to be wound thereon in said compartment, said heel body'having an opening in one side thereof for passage of the collapsed overshoe therethrough, said shaft having a slotted end exposed externally of the lift for engagement by a turning tool in winding the overshoe on the shaft.

2. A heel assembly for a shoe having a sole, comprising a hollow heel body attached at one end to the sole, a lift attached to the other end of the heel body and with the heel body defining a'compartment therebetween, a shaft extending axially through the heel body, means retaining said shaft rotatably in said heel body, said shaft having a longitudinal slot, a collapsed overshoe having an end engaged in said slot with the remainder of the overshoe wound on the shaft and completely contained in said compartment, said shaft having a slotted end exposed externally of the lift for engagement by a turning tool to turn the shaft.

3. A heel assembly for a shoe having a sole, comprising a hollow heel body attached at one end to the sole, said heel body having an opening in its wall, a lift attached to the other end of the heel body and with the heel body defining a compartment therebetween, a shaft extending axially through the heel body, means retaining said shaft rotatably in said heel body, said shaft having a longitudinal slot, a collapsed overshoe having an end engaged in said slot with the remainder of the overshoe wound on the shaft and completely contained in said compartment, said shaft having a slotted end exposed externally of the lift for engagement by a turning tool to turn the shaft, a shell rotatably mounted on said heel body, said shell having an opening registrable with the opening in the heel body, and means for holding said shell stationary on the heel body with said other opening turned away from the opening in the heel body to close the opening in the heel body.

4. A heel assembly for a shoe having a sole with a toe portion, said assembly comprising a hollow heel body attached at one end to the sole, said heel body having a cutout portion at the rear thereof, a lift attached to the other end of the heel body and with said heel body defining a compartment in the heel body, a shaft extending axially through the heel body means retaining said shaft rotatably in said heel body, said shaft having a longitudinal slot, a shell sleeved around the heel body, said shell having a cutaway portion therein adapted to register with the cutout portion in the heel body, a collapsible overshoe having its rear end interlocked in the slot in said shaft, the body of said overshoe being wound around the shaft in said compartment, said overshoe when extended adapted to be secured over the toe end of the shoe and held engaged on the top thereof, said overshoe being adapted to be rolled up and stored in said compartment.

5. A heel assembly for a shoe having a sole with a toe portion, said assembly comprising a hollow heel body attached at one end to the sole, said heel body having a cutout portion at the rear thereof, a shaft extending axially through the heel body and with said heel body defining a compartment in the heel body, means retaining said shaft rotatably in said heel body, said shaft having a longitudinal slot, a shell sleeved around the heel body, said shell having a cutaway portion therein adapted to register with the cut-out portion in the heel body, a collapsible overshoe having its rear end interlocked in the slot in said shaft, the body of said overshoe being wound around the shaft in said compartment, said overshoe when extended adapted to be secured over the toe end of the shoe and held engaged on the top thereof, said overshoe being adapted to be rolled up and stored in said compartment,

said shell adapted to be rotated closing the cutout portion of the heel body, and means for hold-ing the shell in moved adjusted position.

6. A heel assembly for a shoe having a sole with a toe portion, said assembly comprising a wrap-around type hollow heel body, attached at one end to the sole, said body being open at both ends, lifts closing the open ends of the body, a slotted shaft extending through the body and journalled in said lifts, means for rotatorially biasing rotating said shaft, said heel body having a side opening with overlapped end edges, and a collapsible overshoe wound around the shaft inside the heel body, said overshoe when extended adapted to be secured over the toe portion, said overshoe when extension pressure is released adapted to be rewound around the shaft automatically.

7. A heel assembly for a shoe having a sole with a toe portion, said assembly comprising a wrap-around type hollow heel body, attached at one end to the sole, said body being open at both ends, lifts closing the open ends of the body, a slotted shaft extending through the body and journalled in said lifts, means for rotatorially biasing rotating said shaft, said heel body having a side opening with overlapped end edges, and a collapsible overshoe wound around the shaft inside the heel body, said overshoe when extended adapted to be secured over the toe portion, said overshoe when extension pressure is released adapted to be rewound around the shaft automatically, said automatic rotating means including a coil spring wound around the shaft with one end anchored to the shaft and its other end anchored to the interior surface of the heel body.

8. A heel assembly for a shoe having a sole with a toe portion, said heel assembly comprising a tapering hollow heel body attached at one end to the sole, said heel body having a slot in the front thereof extending longitudinally thereof, a shaft journalled in opposed sides of the heel body interiorally thereof, a spool fixed on said shaft, a coil spring having one end fastened to the shaft and its other end fixed to the inner surface of the heel body, and a collapsible overshoe wound around the spool with one end secured thereto, the other end protruding outwardly of the slot in the heel and adapted to be pulled outwardly for covering the toe portion of the shoe against the action of the coil spring.

9. A heel assembly for a shoe having a sole and a toe portion, said assembly comprising a hollow heel body attached at one end to the sole, said heel body having a transverse slot in the front wall thereof, a horizontally disposed rotary-spring-biased shaft journalled in the opposite sides of the heel body interiorally thereof, a drum fixed on said shaft, and a flexible overshoe wound around said drum with one end fastened to the drum and the other end protruding through the slot in the heel body, and a tab on the free outer end of the overshoe for grasping the overshoe and withdrawing the same through the slot, said overshoe when withdrawn adapted to be secured over the toe portion and over the heel assembly.

10. A heel assembly for a shoe having a sole and a toe portion, said assembly comprising a hollow heel body attached at one end to the sole, said heel body having a transverse slot in the front wall thereof, a horizontally disposed rotary-spring-biased shaft journalled in the op posite sides of the heel body interiorally thereof, a drum fixed on said shaft, and a flexible overshoe wound around said drum with one end fastened to the drum and the other end protruding through the slot in the heel body, and a tab on the free outer end of the overshoe for grasping the overshoe and withdrawing the same through the slot, said overshoe when withdrawn adapted to be secured over the toe portion and over the heel assembly, and means for holding the overshoe when wound on the drum against rotation, said means including a headed pin on the outer surface of the heel body adjacent the slot, said tab having a hole adapted to he slipped over the headed pin.

11. A heel assembly for a shoe having a sole and toe portion, said heel assembly comprising a hollow heel body attached to one end of the sole, said heel body having a recess and having slots intersecting the front portion thereof, a pair of vertically disposed spaced shafts in said recess, a toe cover Wound around one of said shafts, and extending through one of the slots, a heel body cover Wound around the other of said shafts and extending through the other of said slots, means on the free ends of said covers for detachably fastening the covers to each other, and spring means on the ends of the shafts for automatically retracting the covers when extended.

12. A heel assembly for a shoe having a sole With a toe portion comprising a heel body having at least one elongated slot, a compartment in said heel body, at least one turnable shaft journalled in the compartment, and a shoe cover fastened at one end to the shaft and wound therearound the other end of the shoe cover adapted to be Withdrawn through the slot in the heel body for covering the toe portion of the shoe.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 921,433 5/1909 Miller 36-1 2,470,200 5/1949 Wallach 36-1 X 2,507,991 5/1950 Neal 36-1 2,904,901 9/1959 Goldstein 36-1 3,174,234 3/1965 Weitzner 36-1 15 JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner.

A. R. GUEST, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A HEEL ASSEMBLY FOR A SHOE HAVING A SOLE, COMPRISING A HOLLOW HEEL BODY ATTACHED AT ONE END TO THE SOLE, A LIFT ATTACHED TO THE OTHER END OF THE HEEL BODY AND WITH THE HEEL BODY DEFINING A COMPARTMENT THEREBETWEEN, A SHAFT EXTENDING AXIALLY THROUGH THE HEEL BODY AND MEANS RETAINING SAID SHAFT ROTATABLY IN SAID HEEL BODY, SAID SHAFT HAVING A LONGITUDINAL SLOT FOR RECEIVING AN END OF A COLLAPSIBLE OVERSHOE TO BE WOUND THEREON IN SAID COMPARTMENT, SAID HEEL BODY HAVING AN OPENING IN ONE SIDE THEREOF FOR PASSAGE OF THE COLLAPSED OVERSHOE THERETHROUGH, SAID SHAFT HAVING A SLOTTED END EXPOSED EXTERNALLY OF THE LIFT FOR ENGAGEMENT BY A TURNING TOOL IN WINDING THE OVERSHOE ON THE SHAFT. 